As a photographer I have spent my life searching out something to photograph, hunting illusive moments, and channeling desired ones. These decisive moments, split seconds in time, create a photograph, which in of its self, is the very essence of the Art of photography. Amazing, incredible timeless moments, seen, cajoled spirited but ultimately captured in that moment and born.
Creating images was always about telling a story whether as a stand-alone iconic image, as a series, in a book, or indeed a film, a natural evolution of the same line of enquiry, and my own creative journey. Importantly in all these stories there is a truth, be it as abstract as you like… but it is real, and people connect with it, and that’s’ what makes them live and potentially be great.
I got into photography when I was about thirteen and just evolved and took me over. Photography became my life and photographing the people that populate it became my vocation and reason to be. Reportage / street photography was my first and enduring passion, followed by portraiture, fashion and advertising.
In a way I see every image I create as a portrait, be it street or moving image and thus truthfully conveys an essence or persona of the subject.
After completing my BA Hons in Photography and Communication at LCP (now LCC), my professional career began, and I soon procured an agent. ESP and Jan Stephens were instrumental in my career path, and through her connections I was soon shooting a host of musical artists, for press and artwork. I love music so it felt natural to be working with musicians. I remember vividly my first big music shoot, in Spain shooting the cover of the amazingly talented Neneh Cherry’s new album, “Man”. I was shooting lots of portraits for a diverse array of publications, from Vice to Vogue, agencies and companies in the UK, Europe and America. Portraiture evolved into fashion and advertising and ultimately into art when I started creating lenticular photographs in 2005.
Film is other medium I love and have made two short films, a documentary and a load of indi pop videos to date, but have written my first feature and know that film and writing will be a big part of my creative journey moving forward.
Scarborough born Santini is now based in London. His photographs have appeared in magazines including i-D , Vogue, Flaunt and Nylon and are held in many private and public collections including the National Portrait Gallery. Persona, a book of his portraits, was published in 2004.
A touring exhibition of his portraits #Made Britain Great opens in London on 9th November 2023
